The director of "Jojo Rabbit", Taika Waititi, says to himself "very nervous" to play the fictional Hitler in his film about a young boy who grew up in Nazi Germany during the Second World War, and that He had never intended to do so when he was writing the script. for that.
"It was not my intention to write the script and it's something Fox Searchlight encouraged me to do," Waititi told TheWrap's Beatrice Verhoeven at the Toronto International Film Festival. "They encouraged me to play the role and I felt very nervous about it. But then I said to myself, you know what? Once per generation, an actor arrives that changes the game … ".
"Well, you could not afford it," joked Stephen Merchant, who plays the role of a Gestapo officer in the film.
Read also: Movie Review "Jojo Rabbit": Taika Waititi Insists That Nazis Can Be Funny
The film takes place in a German city where Jojo Betzler (10 year old Roman Griffin Davis) wants nothing more than to become a good little Nazi. But it's a scared little boy who earned the nickname "Jojo Rabbit" when he refused to kill a rabbit at the Nazi training camp. He creates an imaginary friend: an idiot Adolph Hitler who encourages the boy's worst impulses. The local Nazis are played by Sam Rockwell, Alfie Allen, Rebel Wilson and Merchant.
When asked what was the most difficult part of playing Hitler, Waititi replied, "Just because he's so ugly." It turned out that Waititi had shaved his real mustache and had used one to stick the hair on his face. "I did not feel comfortable to cultivate one and walk around town on holidays," he said.
See the video: Trailer "Jojo Rabbit": Taika Waititi shows why it's not fun to be Nazi
"The first time I saw Taika in a suit, I cried," Davis said. "He did not do anything, I just cried. It was a shocking thing. "
"Is it because of the quality of its performance?" Said Merchant. The actor, whose most recent credits include "Fighting With My Family" and "Good Boys," added jokingly that he had not received praise for his performance that He had hoped for Waititi.
"I quickly went through the script to see how many lines I had and I had a good chunk of dialogue and I largely dominated the scenes I was in, so I I thought: "Yeah, I'm going to do it without money as a favor," said Merchant. "I never really had the impression of receiving the gratitude I deserved to have been to Prague and dressed as a Gestapo officer, but maybe it will eventually fall into the pipe At some point … Maybe in the end I'll get some compliments from the director. "
"Jojo Rabbit" is also performed by Scarlett Johansson and will be live on October 18th.
Watch the video above.
14 most popular films for sale at this year's Toronto Film Festival (Photos)
The Toronto International Film Festival is best known as a springboard for theatrical films rather than a sales market, but the list of projects is full of projects that will attract the attention of studios, independent distributors and streaming services.
"Bad Education"
Perhaps one of the biggest titles on sale, "Bad Education" is performed by Hugh Jackman, Allison Janney, Ray Romano and Alex Wolff. It is based on the actual events that took place in writer Mike Makowsky's High School.
Getty Images
"Citizen K"
Alex Gibney is back with "Citizen K", a documentary film about Mikhail Khodorkovsky, who went from communist to political prisoner after 20 years of conflict with Putin.
TIFF
"Papas"
Bryce Dallas Howard's first documentary feature is about fathers, including his own, Ron Howard. This includes Patton Oswalt who explained how to become a single parent after the death of his wife and Hasan Minhaj reflected on the sacrifices of his immigrant father. "Dads" is also the first film in the new documentary division of Imagine Entertainment, which has already released "Pavarotti" and plans to shoot films on Louis Armstrong, Dwyane Wade and the wildfires of last year in California .
Getty Images
"L & # 39; s Friend"
Based on the award-winning article by the same name, Esquire, the film follows a man (Jason Segel) who puts his life on hold to help his friends diagnose terminal cancer. Dakota Johnson and Casey Affleck also play in the film by director Gabriela Cowperthwaite ("Blackfish").
TIFF
"How to build a girl"
Everyone is obsessed with Beanie Feldstein after his performance in "Booksmart", so this film has become a popular title for TIFF buyers. She is a teenage girl trying to reinvent herself as a trendy music critic in London. Chris O 'Dowd and Emma Thompson are also on the bill.
TIFF
"There is something in the water"
Canadian Ellen Page turned her eyes to the country for her documentary on the toxic effects of industrial development. But as she explores her native Nova Scotia and visits families who have contracted cancer and other toxin-related side effects, she discovers that these incidents have all been located in underprivileged neighborhoods where Aboriginal communities often live. or black. Page and Ian Daniel, who directs the documentary series "Gaycation" with Page, denounce "environmental racism" as Native women fight for their lands.
TIFF
"The vigil"
The horror film of Keith Thomas follows a young man who must acquit himself of his Jewish practice of watching over a deceased member of the family of the Orthodox community. Of course, he is soon confronted with a malicious entity.
TIFF
"Wasps network"
"Wasp Network" will be the 17th narrative feature by prolific French author Olivier Assayas, but it is his first political thriller since "Carlos" in 2010. Edgar Ramírez plays the role of the spy drama , based on the true story of five imprisoned Cuban dissidents. by the United States in the 1990s for espionage and murder. Penélope Cruz, Ana de Armas and Gael García Bernal are also on the bill.
RT Features
"Blackbird"
Susan Sarandon, Sam Neill, Kate Winslet and Mia Wasikowska play in the remake of the Roger Michell, Roger Michell, Danish film "Silent Heart" in 2014. "Sarandon embodies a mother who learns that she is dying and chooses to end his days as she hears. But when his family gathers for a last goodbye, the tensions between the Winslet and Wasikowska sisters rise to the surface.
TIFF
"Red penguins"
"Red Penguins", Gabe Polsky's latest documentary ("The Red Army", "In Search of Greatness"), follows Steve Warshaw's attempts to turn post-Soviet Russian hockey into an accessible sporting event to all, with the help of leaders advertisers, forever transforming Russian-American relations.
TIFF
"And we go green"
Leonardo DiCaprio produces this film on the international Formula E circuit, similar to Formula 1 but with environmentally friendly electric cars. On the mark for the actor, who even has a foundation dedicated to the environment and to the inhabitants of the Earth.
TIFF
"Rocks"
After "Suffragette", Sarah Gavron is back with "Rocks", which announces a lot of word of mouth before the festival. The film follows a young girl who has trouble caring for herself and her younger brother.
TIFF
"Guns Akimbo"
This one is aimed at fans of Daniel Radcliffe – a dark science fiction thriller in which the actor plays the next competitor in an illegal death match. Samara Weaving, fresh out of "Ready Or Not", is also a star.
TIFF
"The other lamb"
It's like the fans of Ari Aster's Midsommar. Michiel Huisman plays a cult leader who is interviewed by a young woman born in worship. Plus, it has been featured on the 2017 bloodlist for the best (then) non-produced horror scripts.
BloodList
Toronto 2019: Environmental Docs, Spy Films and Big Name Films Will Make Fame At This Year's Festival
The Toronto International Film Festival is best known as a springboard for theatrical films rather than a sales market, but the list of projects is full of projects that will attract the attention of studios, independent distributors and streaming services.
